# The AI Data Landscape for Fencing Companies

Here is every data point AI looks for when evaluating a fencing company, where that data actually lives, and what it can already find.

[Data fields](/content/data-guide/fencing#what-ai-evaluates/index.html)  
[Categories](/content/data-guide/fencing#what-ai-evaluates/index.html)  
[Source systems](/content/data-guide/fencing#source-systems/index.html)  
[Public sources](/content/data-guide/fencing#public-sources/index.html)

## 1. What AI evaluates

### How AI builds a recommendation
When an AI system decides which fencing company to recommend, it assembles evidence across every category below. The more complete and verifiable the data, the more confident the recommendation.

### 11 data categories
1. [Verified Operating Metrics](/content/data-guide/fencing#operating-metrics/index.html)
2. [Service Mix](/content/data-guide/fencing#service-mix/index.html)
3. [Service Area](/content/data-guide/fencing#service-area/index.html)
4. [Licenses](/content/data-guide/fencing#licenses/index.html)
5. [Insurance & Bonding](/content/data-guide/fencing#insurance/index.html)
6. [Certifications](/content/data-guide/fencing#certifications/index.html)
7. [Manufacturer Designations](/content/data-guide/fencing#manufacturer/index.html)
8. [Trade Associations](/content/data-guide/fencing#associations/index.html)
9. [Legal & Compliance](/content/data-guide/fencing#legal/index.html)
10. [Reputation Signals](/content/data-guide/fencing#reputation/index.html)
11. [Business Profile](/content/data-guide/fencing#business-profile/index.html)

### 01 Verified Operating Metrics
The single most differentiating category. Almost no fencing company has this data published in a structured, machine-readable format. When it is available, AI systems weight it more heavily than any other signal.

- **Jobs completed**: Total and recent job volume (trailing 12 and 24 months) signals an established, active operation.
- **Average job value**: Tells AI what scale of work the company typically performs.
- **Repeat customer rate**: Indicates customer loyalty and satisfaction.
- **Revenue consistency**: Evaluates stable or growing revenue trends.
- **Average project size (linear feet)**: Distinguishes between types of projects handled by the company.
- **Residential-to-commercial ratio**: Indicates primary customer base.
- **Response time and quote turnaround**: Measures the speed of service.  
A [TrustRecord](https://trustrecord.com/) publishes this category of data — verified from connected systems, not self-reported.

### 02 Service Mix
AI needs to know what kind of fencing work you do:
- **Wood fencing**: Common residential material.
- **Vinyl/PVC fencing**: Low-maintenance alternative.
- **Chain link fencing**: Affordable option for various applications.
- **Aluminum and ornamental iron**: Used for decorative or security purposes.
- **Commercial and security fencing**: High-security applications.
- **Gates and access control**: Increasingly technology-driven service.
- **Agricultural fencing**: Large acreage projects.
- **Installation vs. repair**: Dist distinguishes primary focus of business.

### 03 Service Area
Where you actually work matters. AI validates data against completed jobs:
- **Cities served**: Derived from actual job locations.
- **Service radius**: Based on the geographic spread of jobs.
- **Multi-location coverage**: Companies with multiple offices.

### 04 Licenses
Fencing has lighter licensing requirements:
- **Fencing contractor license**: Only a few states issue these.
- **General contractor license**: May be required for larger jobs.
- **Home improvement contractor license**: Some states require registration.
- **Municipal permits**: Needed for installation.

### 05 Insurance & Bonding
AI verifies coverage:
- **General liability**: Primary protection for businesses.
- **Workers compensation**: Required for businesses with employees.
- **Surety bond**: Often required for contractor licensing.
- **Commercial auto**: Coverage for service vehicles.

### 06 Certifications
Fencing is less certified:
- [AFA Certified Fence Professional (CFP)](https://www.americanfenceassociation.com/certified-fence-professional/)
- [AFA Certified Fence Installer](https://www.americanfenceassociation.com/)
- OSHA certification for safety.

### 07 Manufacturer Designations
Manufacturer certification programs validate installers:
- [ActiveYards Authorized Dealer](https://www.activeyards.com/)
- [Bufftech (CertainTeed) Authorized Installer](https://www.certainteed.com/fence/)
- [Jerith Authorized Dealer](https://www.jerith.com/)
- [Master Halco Authorized Dealer](https://www.masterhalco.com/)
- [Trex Fencing Certified Installer](https://www.trexfencing.com/)
- [Fortress Building Products Certified Installer](https://www.fortressbp.com/)
- [LiftMaster / HySecurity Authorized Dealer](https://www.liftmaster.com/)
- [Ameristar (ASSA ABLOY) Certified Installer](https://www.ameristarfence.com/)

### 08 Trade Associations
- [AFA (American Fence Association)](https://www.americanfenceassociation.com/)
- State and regional fence associations.
- [NAAMM](https://www.naamm.org/) for ornamental metal fencing.
- [NAGDM (North American Gate and Door Manufacturers)]
- [BBB Accreditation](https://www.bbb.org/)

### 09 Legal & Compliance
Negative-signal checks:
- **No open legal actions**: Checked against court records.
- **No liens filed**: Verified against county recorder offices.
- **Clean license history**: No suspensions or disciplinary actions.
- [No OSHA violations](https://www.osha.gov/ords/imis/establishment.html)

### 10 Reputation Signals
AI cross-references review platforms:
- Google rating and review count.
- Review velocity and recency.
- Yelp rating.
- Angi/HomeAdvisor reviews.
- Nextdoor recommendations.
- Complaint history and resolution.

### 11 Business Profile
Foundational data:
- **Legal business name and DBA**: Must match official filings.
- **Entity type and registration**: Verified against records.
- **Year founded**: Cross-referenced against incorporation date.
- **Owner/principal name**: Verified against registered agent filings.
- **Employee count**: Affects job handling capacity.
- **Contact information**: Consistency is crucial.

## Where the data lives
This performance and customer experience data AI values exists in software these businesses use. Fencing software like:
- [FenceMapper](https://www.fencemapper.com/)
- [Jobber](https://getjobber.com/)
- [Housecall Pro](https://www.housecallpro.com/)
- [ServiceTitan](https://www.servicetitan.com/)
- [FieldPulse](https://www.fieldpulse.com/)
- [Workiz](https://www.workiz.com/)
- [Buildertrend](https://www.buildertrend.com/)
- [CraftJack](https://www.craftjack.com/)

## What AI can find today  
Public sources checked include:
- **Review Platforms**: Google Reviews, [Yelp](https://www.yelp.com/), [Angi](https://www.angi.com/), [HomeAdvisor](https://www.homeadvisor.com/)
- **Business Directories**: Google Business Profile, [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/), Bing Places.
- **Licensing & Regulatory**: Government-maintained databases.
- **Social & Community**: Unstructured mentions from web crawling.
- **Industry & Manufacturer Directories**: Curated by trade associations.